| Adding a nice chunk of extra storage space for your | | | | transfer rate)o use less powero are connected to the |
| computer with a new hard drive can be exciting, like | | | | computer with speed-optimizing cables or cards |
| getting a storage shed for the back yard to store and | | | | These drives can make a big difference in overall |
| organize tools and toys. However, there are more | | | | computer speed. |
| reasons than storage capacity to buy a hard drive, | | | | Some drives are installed inside a computer, while |
| and size isn't the only thing that matters when | | | | others can be connected externally. Portable or |
| comparing your options. | | | | external hard drives are designed for frequent |
| Why Buy a Hard Drive? | | | | transport between computers. They generally hold |
| Most people buy hard drives out of necessity - their | | | | much more information than the largest jump/flash |
| current hard drive is old or too small or doesn't work at | | | | thumb drives. A general rule for choosing between |
| all. Or they may have recently purchased a computer | | | | them is: installed drives perform faster because it |
| that came with a drive that had limited storage, so | | | | takes less time for them to exchange messages with |
| they want to swap the drive out for a bigger one. | | | | the computer. |
| Smart computer users may buy extra hard drives as | | | | Shock Resistance / Heat / Sound |
| a backup solution; and demanding techies and gamers | | | | A hardy hard drive goes a long way toward |
| may upgrade their drive for optimal performance. | | | | preventing data loss. Shock resistance - how well a |
| Jump drives / flash drives / thumb drives and online | | | | hard drive can take being dropped, banged, etc. - is |
| storage are other popular options for storing and | | | | especially important when considering portable drives. |
| transporting data, but are generally considered to be | | | | This is another good reason for a primary drive to be |
| less robust, temporary solutions compared to hard | | | | installed in a computer rather than connected |
| drives. They are intended to complement a hard drive | | | | externally. |
| rather than replace one. | | | | High-powered drives can generate a lot of heat, which |
| Hard Drive Features | | | | can reduce the life of the drive. The faster or hotter |
| Whatever their reasons for buying a hard drive, | | | | the drive, the more cooling is required. Ways of |
| shoppers usually compare the following features: | | | | managing temperature include installing extra fans or |
| Storage Capacity | | | | upgrading, making sure vents are not covered, and |
| At first, those 80 gigabytes of storage may seem like | | | | keeping the computer well ventilated, in a cooler room |
| way more than necessary, but as software is added, | | | | and off the floor. |
| files are created and information is downloaded, those | | | | Some hard drives, especially faster ones or those that |
| GBs will fill up fast. Then it's time to either clean stuff | | | | are bigger in physical size, can generate a lot of noise. |
| out or buy an additional "container". So for capacity's | | | | To cut down on noise, look for low-noise disks, |
| sake, it's better to go bigger. | | | | compare dBa levels and store the computer in a |
| Like any storage space, hard drives work best when | | | | cabinet rather than out in the open. |
| well-organized so that time is not wasted in search of | | | | Backup / Reliability |
| pieces and parts. Dividing a large hard drive into smaller | | | | Extra hard drives -- especially portable ones -- make |
| partitions can help, but the bigger the space, the longer | | | | great backup solutions. Hard drives used primarily for |
| it takes to search it - each and every time. By using | | | | backup should provide enough storage space to keep |
| several smaller drives instead of one big one, storage | | | | three copies of the main drive. For example, if a |
| capacity is unlimited, backups of data can be made | | | | primary hard drive holds 100 gigabytes, but only 30 gigs |
| easily, and performance is not sacrificed for size. This | | | | are being used, backup drive space should total 90 GB |
| is accomplished with RAID (Redundant Array of | | | | to allow for multiple backups of all software and files. |
| Independent Disks) technology, where multiple hard | | | | (See the discussion of RAID technology in Storage |
| drives are grouped together so the computer sees | | | | Capacity above.) |
| them as one. RAID controllers are bought separately | | | | Backups should also be replicated across different |
| to manage the array (multiple drives). | | | | technologies. Using a combination of an extra hard |
| Speed / Portability | | | | drive or RAID array, online data backup and a flash |
| Hard drives have platters that spin, and a read/write | | | | drive for critical information prevents loss of data from |
| head or "needle" that reads them like a record player. | | | | mechanical malfunction, loss of that tiny little flash drive, |
| Hard drives that:o have platters that spin faster (at | | | | or environmental factors like flooding or fire. |
| higher RPM)o can transfer information faster (media | | | | |